Vehicle suspension device

ABSTRACT

A vehicle coil spring and shock absorber connected directly to the front wheel by a mounting tube having a removable bottom through which the shock absorber may be removed. .Iadd.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.5,735,809 filed Oct. 26, 1976, now abandoned, which is a Reissueapplication of Ser. No. 5,496,045 filed Oct. 14, 1965, Pat. No.3,346,272. .Iaddend.

This invention relates generally to motor vehicles, and particularly toan improved suspension device flexibly supporting the vehicle chassisupon ground contacting wheels.

In some motor vehicle suspension systems, it is desirable to locate thesuspension devices which together make up the front suspension systemand which devices each include a coil spring and shock absorber,directly at each vehicle front wheel. One such suspension system isillustrated and described in the U.S. Pat. No. 2,624,592 to MacPhersonand is referred to in the trade as the MacPherson system.

One of the undesirable aspects of this type of suspension system, hasbeen that in the past it has been necessary to dismantle a major portionof the vehicle front end, including each wheel and wheel spindle whenremoving and replacing the shock absorbers after their parts becomeworn. This is a costly, difficult and time consuming process andrequires special tools and skills. Therefore, a suspension deviceincorporating the desirable features of the MacPherson system but whicheliminates the complex dismantling and replacement aspects for the shockabsorber would be highly desirable.

Main obects of the present invention are an improved vehicle suspensiondevice including a coil spring and shock absorber which supports thevehicle chassis directly at each wheel and which permits the shockabsorber to be removed and replaced in installation .Iadd.as a cartridgeunit .Iaddend.with a minimum of difficulty and without disturbing ordismantling other vehicle components.

Further objects include an improved suspension device of the abovecharacter which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, rugged inconstruction and reliable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become moreapparent from a consideration of the following detailed descriptiontaken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a suspension device embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1 takenwithin the circle 2;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the structure of FIG. 1 takenwithin the enclosure 3; and

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 1 taken along the line 4--4 thereof.

Broadly described, the present invention includes an automotive vehiclesuspension device having a telescopic type, shock absorber and asurrounding coil spring wherein the shock absorber has one enddetachably connectable to the vehicle body or frame and the other endremovably supported within a tube connectable to the vehicle wheelspindle so that the shock absorber is removable .Iadd.as a cartridgeunit .Iaddend.upon detaching from the vehicle body or frame withoutdisturbing the wheel or wheel spindle.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings and particularly FIG. 1,a suspension device embodying the present invention is illustratedgenerally at 11 and is seen to include a cylinder assembly 13 comprisinga plurality of concentric tubes in which a piston rod 15 is slidablydisposed in telescopic fashion, the cylinder assembly 13 and piston rodtogether forming a vehicle shock absorber. The cylinder assembly 13 isremovably supported in a tube 16 secured at its lower end to a wishbonesuspension member 12 through a ball 17 universally received in adetachable socket 14, the ball 17 having an integral threaded upper end18 threadedly received in the tube 16. A wheel spindle 19 upon which thevehicle wheel (not shown) is mounted has a sleeve 23 encompassing andsecured to the lower end of the tube 16. A removable locking pin 24extends through aligned openings in the tube 16, the threaded end 18 andthe sleeve 23 to prevent the ball 17 from the inadverently detachingfrom the tube 16 during use.

The piston rod 15 extends upwardly through an opening 25 in the body orframe of the vehicle, a portion of which is shown at 27. A ball bearing29 has an elongated inner race 31 held on a reduced end 33 of the pistonrod 15 by a nut 35 and washer 37. The lower end of the bearing innerrace 31 engages a washer 39 seated against a shoulder 40 on the pistonrod 15. The outer race 41 of the bearing 29 is seated in an enlarged end43 of a tubular member 45 secured in sleeve 47 which may be constructedof flexible rubber or rubber-like material. The enlarged end 43 of thetubular member 45 is crimped below the outer bearing race 41 to hold thebearing 29 in place. A disc 49 is removably positioned in a groove 48 inthe upper end of the sleeve 47 to keep dirt, grease and other foreignmatter from accumulating above and contaminating the bearing 29. Thesleeve 47 is secured to the vehicle body 27 by an annular collar 51surrounding and secured to the sleeve 47 and formed with an integralradially outwardly extending flange 53 overlying the vehicle body 27 andsecured thereto by bolts 55 and nuts 57.

In use, the shock absorber piston rod 15 moves with the vehicle body orframe 27 and slides telescopically within the cylinder assembly 13, theflexible sleeve 47 allowing angular displacement between the piston rod15 and the body or frame 27 and the ball bearing 29 allowing the pistonrod to turn therewithin. The tube 16 which houses the cylinder assembly13 is supported upon the wishbone suspension number 12 through the ball17 and turns with the wheel (not shown) and the spindle 19 substantiallyabout the longitudinal central axis of the tube 16 and cylinder assembly13.

The vehicle chassis weight is supported by the wheels and is suspendedat each wheel by a coil spring 26 sleeved over the tube 16. The lowerend of the spring 26 is seated in an annular spring support 28 welded orotherwise secured to the tube 16 and the spring upper end is seated in ahat-shaped annular support 30 seated between the bearing inner race 31and the washer 39. Thus, when the vehicle body or frame 27 movesdownwardly relative to the wheels (not shown), the piston rod 15 movesdownwardly within the cylinder assembly 13 and the spring 26 iscompressed. Upward movement of the vehicle body or frame 27, of course,causes upward movement of the piston rod 15 and allows the spring 26 toexpand.

To cushion and dampen this relative movement between the vehicle bodyand frame 27 and the wheels and creating the desired shock-absorbingcharacteristics, the piston rod 15 and cylinder assembly 13 are providedwith valve means shown in FIG. 1 and in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3.Thus, the cylinder assembly 13 includes an outer or reserve tube 65having its lower end closed by a cap or closure 69 which is seated in arecess 71 in the threaded end 18 of the ball 17. A pressure cylinder 67is positioned within the reserve tube 65 and has a valve assembly 73fitted in and closing the lower end thereof, the valve assembly 73 beingseated in the cap 69.

The upper end of hte reserve tube 65 has a cap 75 fitted therein andseated against a cap 61 welded to the tube 16. A seal assembly 77 isheld in the cap 75 by a retaining ring 79 and engages the piston rod 15to prevent the loss of fluid pressure therepast. The lower end of thecap 75 positions an annular piston rod guide 81 which surrounds and.[.guides.]. .Iadd.acts as a guide means for the upper end of.Iaddend.the piston rod 15 .[.and has its lower end.]. .Iadd., the lowerend of the guide 81 being .Iaddend.fitted in the upper end of thepressure tube 67. An absorbent and resilient annular sleeve 83 held inthe rod guide 81 by a snap ring 84 engages the piston rod 15 andprevents it from becoming scored during movement relative to the guide81.

A piston 85 is retained on a reduced and threaded lower end 89 of thepiston rod 15 by a nut 87 and has a piston ring 88 engaging the wall ofthe pressure cylinder 67 to prevent the flow of fluid therepast. Thepiston 85 .Iadd.along with the interior of the cylinder 67 within whichit is slidably disposed, acts as a guide means for the lower end of thepiston rod 15. The piston 85 .Iaddend.is provided with an inner set ofcircumferentially spaced passages 91 and an outer set ofcircumferentially spaced passages 93 and has a central aperture 95through which the reduced and threaded lower end 89 of the piston rod 15extends (FIG. 2). The upper ends of the passages 93 are closed by a disc97 yieldably held in engagement with a valve seat 98 on the top of thepiston 85 by a finger-type spring 99. A support washer 101 has anannular flange 103 engaging and holding the inner peripheral portion ofthe spring 99 against the piston 85. The washer 101, in turn, isdisposed between the top of the piston 85 and a radial shoulder 105 onthe piston rod 15. The washer 101 also has one or more apertures 106which communicate with apertures 108 in the disc 97 and with the upperends of the inner passages 91. The lower ends of the inner passages 91are closed by a valve disc 107 yieldably held in engagement with a valveseat 109 on the lower surface of the piston 85 by a cage 111 againstwhich one end of a compression spring 113 acts, the other end of thecompression spring engaging a flange 115 on the nut 87.

The valve assembly 73 at the lower end of the pressure tube 67 is shownin greater detail in FIG. 3 and includes a valve body 117 having grooves119 in its underside which communicate the space beneath the valve body117 with the space between the pressure cylinder 67 and the reserve tube65, so that hydraulic fluid can flow from the pressure cylinder to thereserve tube and vice versa. The valve body 117 has an inner set ofcircumferentially spaced passages 121 and an outer set ofcircumferentially spaced passages 123 and a large central aperture 125.The upper ends of the passages 123 are closed by a valve disc 127yieldably held in engagement with a valve seat 129 on the top surface ofthe valve body 117 by a fingertype spring 131. The inner circumferenceof the spring 131 and the valve disc 127 are held against the valve seat129 by a head 133 formed on a nut or plug 135 extending through theaperture 125. The valve disc 127 has one or more apertures 134 whichcommunicate with the upper ends of the aperture 121. The lower ends ofthe apertures 121 are closed by a valve disc 137, the innercircumferential portion of which is held in engagement with a valve seat139 on the lower surface of the valve body 117 by a nut 141 threaded onthe lower end of the plug 135.

In use, the vehicle body weight is supported by the wheels and issuspended at each wheel by the coil spring 26 as described above. Whenthe vehicle body moves upwardly relative to the wheel causing the piston85 to move upwardly relative to the cylinder assembly 13 on the reboundstroke, the pressure of the hydraulic fluid in the pressure cylinder 67above the piston increases until the valve disc 107 moves away from thevalve seat 109 and the fluid flows through the inner piston passages 91into the lower portion of the pressure cylinder 67. The fluid pressureat which the valve disc 107 moves away from the seat 109 is a functionof the stiffness of the spring 113 and that of the disc 107. Because thepiston rod 15 occupies a portion of the pressure cylinder 67 above thepiston 85, it is necessary that the lower portion of the pressurecylinder be replenished with fluid during the rebound stroke. This isachieved by the flow of liquid from the reserve tube 65 through theapertures 119 in the valve body 117 and upwardly through the outerpassages 123. As the valve plate 127 is held on its seat only by thelight spring 131, the differential pressure on opposite sides of thevalve plate 127 is sufficient to move the valve plate away from its seat129 so that the pressure cylinder remains filled with fluid. Upwardmovement of the piston rod 15 is limited and cushioned by a resilientannular sleeve 143 engageable with the lower end of the guide 81 andheld in place on the piston rod 15 by a collar 145. The sleeve 143 hasone or more radial slots 146 at its upper end and the sleeve 143 andcollar 145 are spaced from the wall of the pressure cylinder 67permitting fluid within the pressure cylinder to maintain the absorbentsleeve 83 saturated.

When the piston 85 moves downwardly in the pressure cylinder 67 on thecompression stroke, fluid in the pressure cylinder below the pistonflows upwardly through the outer piston passages 93 when sufficientpressure has been built up below the piston 85 to overcome the force ofthe spring 99 and move the valve disc 97 away from its seat 108. Thepressure cylinder 67 above the piston 85 cannot accommodate all of thefluid displaced from the lower portion of the pressure cylinder becauseof the presence of the piston rod 15. Therefore, as the piston 85 movesdownwardly in the pressure cylinder 67, fluid pressure builds up belowthe piston 85 and moves the valve disc 137 away from the valve seat 139by flexing the disc thereby allowing fluid to flow from the lowerportion of the pressure cylinder 67 through the apertures 119 in thevalve body 117 and out to the reserve cylinder 65. One or morepassageways 148 in the piston rod guide 81 permit fluid in the reservecylinder 65 to maintain the top of the absorbent sleeve 83 saturated.Downward travel of the piston rod 15 is cushioned and limited by aresilient sleeve 150 fixed to the piston rod 15 and engageable with thetop of the cap 61. A skirt 152 is seated against the spring support 30and surrounds the sleeve 150 and the top of the tube 16 to prevent dirt,grease and other foreign matter from getting on the piston rod 15.

The resistance of the suspension device to compression and reboundmovement is established by the size of the passageways and the stiffnessof the valve discs and the loading springs so as to attain the desiredoperating conditions and provide smooth and comfortable ridingqualities.

As described above, a major problem which has existed in suspensionsystems of this type has been that when the shock absorber componentsbecome worn and require replacement, a major portion the vehicle frontend and steering controls had to be dismantled. This was so because inthese prior systems, the cylinder assembly 13 was connected directly tothe spindle 19 and to the ball 17 of the ball socket joint. This problemhas been eliminated by the present invention by providing the tube 16which here is secured to the spindle 19 and to the ball 17 asillustrated and described making the entire shock-absorber assemblyeasily removable. Thus, when the shock-absorber components, includingthe piston 85, the pressure cylinder 67 and the valves become worn andrequire replacing, it is only necessary to remove the nut 35 from theupper reduced end 33 of the piston rod 15 after snapping the plate 49out of the sleeve 47 and to unscrew the ball member 17 from within thetube 16 after removing the pin 24. The entire shock-absorber assemblyincluding the reserve tube 65, the pressure tube 67 and the piston rod15 can then be slid out of the tube 16 through its lower end. Duringthis time, the bearing 29 and the washer 39 hold the spring support 30in place so that the spring 26 remains intact. Thereafter, a newshock-absorber assembly is inserted, the ball member 17 threaded intothe lower end of the tube 16 and the nut 35 threaded on the upperreduced end 33 of the new piston rod 15. In this way, the old shockabsorber is quickly and easily removed and replaced with a new onewithout requiring costly, difficult and time-consuming dismantling ofthe vehicle front end or steering controls.

Thus, by the present invention there has been provided an improvedsuspension device having an easily replaceable shock-absorber assemblyconstructed to fulfill the objects hereinabove set forth, and while apreferred embodiment has been illustrated and described above in detail,various additions, substitutions, modifications and omissions may bemade thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention asencompassed by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. In an independent wheel suspension device for anautomotive vehicle, said suspension device comprising a hydraulictubular shock absorber having a pair of relatively movable telescopicparts, detachable means on one of said telescopic parts connectable to abody portion of said vehicle, a tube removably supporting the other ofsaid telescopic parts, said tube being connectable to a wheel spindleand having a removable end portion whereby said shock absorber isremovable and replaceable through the end of said tube having saidremovable end portion upon detaching said detachable means.
 2. In anindependent wheel suspension device for an automotive vehicle, saidsuspension device comprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having apair of relatively movable telescopic parts, detachable means on one ofsaid telescopic parts connectable to a body portion of sadi vehicle, atube removably supporting the other of said telescopic parts, said tubebeing connectable to a wheel spindle and having a threaded memberforming a closure for one end thereof connectable to and supportable bya suspension arm, whereby said shock absorber is removable andreplaceable through said one end upon detaching said detachable meansand removing said threaded member.
 3. In an independent wheel suspensiondevice for an automotive vehicle, said suspension device comprising ahydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair of relatively movabletelescopic parts, detachable means on one of said telescopic partsconnectable to a body portion of said vehicle, a tube removablysupporting the other of said telescopic parts, a compression springsleeved over said tube, said spring caged between a first support fixedto said tube and a second support supportable by said body portion, saidtube being connectable to a wheel spindle and having a threaded memberin one end thereof, universally supportable on a suspension arm, wherebysaid shock absorber is removable and replaceable upon detaching saiddetachable means and removing said threaded member.
 4. In an independentwheel suspension device for an automotive vehicle, said suspensiondevice comprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair ofrelatively movable telescopic parts, detachable means on one of saidtelescopic parts connectable to a body portion of said vehicle, a tubeconnectable to a wheel spindle and removably receiving the other of saidtelescopic parts, said tube having a ball member threaded into its lowerend, said ball member supporting the other of said telescopic parts andreceivable in a socket connectable to a suspension arm whereby saidshock absorber is removable and replaceable upon detaching saiddetachable means and removing said ball member from said tube lower end.5. In an independent wheel suspension device for an automotive vehicle,said suspension device comprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorberhaving a piston rod and piston slidably disposed in a cylinder assembly,detachable means on said piston rod connectable to a body portion ofsaid vehicle, said detachable means including a bearing supportable insaid body portion and receiving a reduced end of said piston rod and anut threaded on said reduced end, a tube connectable to a wheel spindleand removably receiving said cylinder assembly, said tube having a ballmember threaded into its lower end, said ball member supporting saidcylinder assembly and receivable in a socket connectable to a suspensionarm whereby said shock absorber is removable and replaceable upondetaching said nut and removing said ball member from said tube lowerend.
 6. In an independent wheel suspension device for an automotivevehicle, said suspension device comprising a hydraulic tubular shockabsorber having a piston rod and piston slidably disposed in a cylinderassembly, detachable means on said piston rod connectable to a bodyportion of said vehicle, said detachable means including a bearingresiliently supportable in said body portion and receivng a reduced endof said piston rod and a nut thread on said reduced end, a tubeconnectable to a wheel spindle and removably receiving said cylinderassembly, a compression spring sleeved over said tube, said spring cagedbetween a first support fixed to said tube and a second support heldbetween said bearing and a shoulder on said piston rod adjacent saidreduced end, said tube having a ball member threaded into its lower end,said ball member supporting said cylinder assembly and receivable in asocket connectable to a suspension whereby said shock absorber isremovable and replaceable upon detaching said nut and removing said ballmember from said tube lower end.
 7. In an independent wheel suspensiondevice for an automotive vehicle, said suspension device comprising ahydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair of relatively movabletelescopic parts, detachable means on one of said telescopic partsconnectable to a body portion of said vehicle, a tube mounted in andfixed to a sleeve connectable to a wheel spindle and removably receivingthe other of said telescopic parts, said tube having a ball memberthreaded into its lower end, said ball member supporting the other ofsaid telescopic parts and receivable in a socket connectable to asuspension arm whereby said shock absorber is removable and replaceableupon detaching said detachable means and removing said ball member fromsaid tube lower end. .Iadd.
 8. In a MacPherson-type independent wheelsuspension device for an automotive vehicle having sprung and unsprungportions,said suspension device comprising a hydraulic tubular shockabsorber having a pair of relatively movable telescopic parts,detachable means on one of said telescopic parts connectable to a bodyportion of said vehicle, a tube removably supporting the other of saidtelescopic parts, said tube having a wheel spindle mounted thereon andhaving an opening in one end thereof through which said shock absorberis removable and replaceable, said tube being provided with a removableend member which when mounted on said tube retains said shock absorbertherein, and when removed, permits removal of said shock absorber upondetaching said detachable means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 9. In aMacPherson-type independent wheel suspension device for an automotivevehicle having sprung and unsprung portions, said suspension devicecomprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair ofrelatively movable telescopic parts, one of said parts comprising acylinder and the other of said parts comprising a piston and piston rodreciprocably disposed in said cylinder, with said piston rod extendinglongitudinally from one end of said cylinder, detachable means on saidone telescopic part comprising said piston rod connectable to the sprungbody portion of said vehicle, a tube removably supporting said cylinder,said tube being connectable to a wheel spindle and having a removableend portion wherein said shock absorber is removable and replaceable asa cartridge unit through the end of said tube having said removable endportion upon detaching said detachable means. one of said partscomprising a cylinder and the other of said parts comprising a pistonand piston rod reciprocably disposed in said cylinder, with said pistonrod extending longitudinally from one end of said cylinder, said pistonrod being connected to said sprung portion of the vehicle, detachablemeans on said one telescopic part comprising said piston rod connectableto the sprung body portion of said vehicle so as to provide for relativerotational movement between said piston rod and said sprung bodyportion, a tube removably supporting said cylinder, said tube having awheel spindle fixedly secured adjacent the lower end thereof and havinga removable end portion said shock absorber is removable and replaceableas a cartridge unit through the end of said tube having said removableend portion upon detaching said detachable means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 10.The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein the longitudinal axis ofsaid device defines a pivotal axis about which a wheel mounted on saidspindle is pivotable during steering movement thereof, first and secondguide means located at longitudinally spaced apart positions along saidpivotal axis for guiding said first and second parts for longitudinalsliding movement. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 11. The invention as set forth inclaim 10 wherein said first and second guide means comprise said pistonand cylinder, and said piston rod and a rod guide assembly locatedadjacent the upper end of said cylinder. .Iaddend.
 2. The invention asset forth in claim 9 which includes a coil spring extending around theupper end of said device and supported at one end by a first springsupport located on said tube and at the opposite end thereof by a secondspring support located adjacent the connection of said piston rod withsaid sprung vehicle portion.
 13. The invention as set forth in claim 9wherein the longitudinal axis of said device defines a pivotal axisabout which a wheel mounted on said spindle is pivotable during steeringmovement thereof, first and second guide means located at longitudinallyspaced apart positions along said pivotal axis for guiding said firstand second parts for longitudinal sliding movement, and a coil springextending around said device and supported at one end by a first springsupport located on said tube and at the opposite end thereof by a secondspring support located adjacent the connection of said piston rod withsaid sprung vehicle portion. .Iadd.
 14. The invention as set forth inclaim 13 wherein said coil spring is arranged coaxially of saidsuspension strut. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 15. The invention as set forth inclaim 9 wherein said piston rod is rotatably connected to said sprungvehicle portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 16. In a MacPherson-type independentwheel suspension device for an automotive vehicle having sprung andunsprung portions,said suspension device comprising a hydraulic tubularshock absorber having a pair of relatively movable telescopic parts, oneof said parts comprising a cylinder and the other of said partscomprising a piston and piston rod reciprocably disposed in saidcylinder, with said piston rod extending longitudinally from one end ofsaid cylinder, said piston rod being directly connected to said sprungportion of the vehicle, detachable means on said one telescopic partcomprising said piston rod connectable to the sprung body portion ofsaid vehicle, the longitudinal axis of said device defining a pivotalaxis about which a wheel mounted on a wheel spindle is pivotable duringsteering movement thereof, first and second guide means located atlongitudinally spaced apart positions along said pivotal axis forguiding said first and second parts for longitudinal sliding movement, atube removably supporting said cylinder, said tube being connectable toa wheel spindle and having a removable end portion wherein said shockabsorber is removable and replaceable as a cartridge unit through theend of said tube having said removable end portion upon detaching saiddetachable means. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 17. In a MacPherson-type independentwheel suspension device for an automotive vehicle having sprung andunsprung portions,said suspension device comprising a hydraulic tubularshock absorber having a pair of relatively movable telescopic parts, oneof said parts comprising a cylinder and the other of said partscomprising a piston and piston rod reciprocably disposed in saidcylinder, with said piston rod extending longitudinally from one end ofsaid cylinder, said piston rod being connected to said sprung portion ofthe vehicle, detachable means on said one telescopic part comprisingsaid piston rod connectable to the sprung body portion of said vehicle,a tube removably supporting said cylinder, a coil spring extendingaround said device and supported at one end by a first spring supportlocated on said tube and at the opposite end thereof by a second springsupport located adjacent the connection of said piston rod with saidsprung vehicle portion, said tube being connectable to a wheel spindleand having a removable end portion wherein said shock absorber isremovable and replaceable as a cartridge unit through the end of saidtube having said removable end portion upon detaching said detachablemeans. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 18. The invention as set forth in claim 17wherein said first and second guide means comprise said piston andcylinder, and said piston rod and a rod guide assembly located adjacentthe upper end of said cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 19. In aMacPherson-type independent wheel suspension device for an automotivevehicle having sprung and unsprung portions,said suspension devicecomprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair ofrelatively movable telescopic parts, one of said parts comprising acylinder and the other of said parts comprising a piston and piston rodreciprocably disposed in said cylinder, with said piston rod extendinglongitudinally from one end of said cylinder, said piston rod beingconnected to said sprung portion of the vehicle, detachable means onsaid one telescopic part comprising said piston rod connectable to thesprung body portion of said vehicle so as to provide for relativerotational movement between said piston rod and said sprung bodyportion, a tube removably supporting said cylinder, said tube having awheel spindle fixedly secured adjacent the lower end thereof and havinga removable end portion wherein said shock absorber is removable andreplaceable as a cartridge unit through the end of said tube having saidremovable end portion upon detaching said detachable means. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 20. The invention as set forth in claim 19 wherein said coilspring is arranged coaxially of said suspension strut. .Iaddend. .Iadd.21. The invention as set forth in claim 9 wherein said tube has saidwheel spindle fixedly secured thereto at the lower end thereof..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 22. The invention as set forth in claim 21 whichincludes a coil spring extending around said device and supported at oneend by a first spring support located on said tube and at the oppositeend thereof by a second spring support located adjacent the connectionof said piston rod with said sprung vehicle portion. .Iadd.
 23. Theinvention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said piston rod is rotatablyconnected to said sprung vehicle portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 24. Theinvention as set forth in claim 21 wherein said tube has said wheelspindle fixedly secured thereto at the lower end thereof..Iaddend..Iadd.
 25. The invention as set forth in claim 17 wherein saidtube has said wheel spindle fixedly secured thereto at the lower endthereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 26. The invention as set forth in claim 25wherein said first and second guide means comprise said piston andcylinder, and said piston rod and a rod guide assembly located adjacentthe upper end of said cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 27. The invention asset forth in claim 9 wherein the longitudinal axis of said devicedefines a pivotal axis about which a wheel mounted on said spindle ispivotable during steering movement thereof, first and second guide meanslocated at longitudinally spaced apart positions along said pivotal axisfor guiding said first and second parts for longitudinal slidingmovement, and wherein said tube has said wheel spindle fixedly securedthereto at the lower end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 28. The invention asset forth in claim 27 wherein said coil spring is arranged coaxially ofsaid suspension strut. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 29. The invention as set forthin claim 27 wherein said piston rod is rotatably connected to saidsprung vehicle portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 30. The invention as set forthin claim 16 wherein said tube has said wheel spindle fixedly securedthereto at the lower end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 31. The invention asset forth in claim 9 which includes a coil spring extending around saiddevice and supported at one end by a first spring support located onsaid tube and at the opposite end thereof by a second spring supportlocated adjacent the connection of said piston rod with said sprungvehicle portion and wherein said tube has said wheel spindle fixedlysecured thereto at the lower end thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 32. In aMacPherson-type independent wheel suspension device for an automotivevehicle having sprung and unsprung portions,said suspension devicecomprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair ofrelatively movable telescopic parts, one of said parts comprising acylinder and the other of said parts comprising a piston and piston rodreciprocably disposed in said cylinder, with said piston rod extendinglongitudinally from one end of said cylinder, said piston rod beingconnected to said sprung portion of the vehicle, detachable means onsaid one telescopic part comprising said piston rod connectable to thesprung body portion of said vehicle so as to provide for relativerotational movement between said piston rod and said sprung bodyportion, a tube removably supporting said cylinder, said tube having awheel spindle fixedly secured adjacent the lower end thereof and havinga removable end portion wherein said shock absorber is removable andreplaceable as a cartridge unit through the end of said tube having saidremovable end portion upon detaching said detachable means, thelongitudinal axis of said device defining a pivotal axis about which awheel mounted on said spindle is pivotable during steering movementthereof, first and second guide means located at longitudinally spacedapart positions along said pivotal axis for guiding said first andsecond parts for longitudinal sliding movement, and a coil springextending substantially coaxially around the upper end of said deviceand supported at one end by a first spring support located on said tubeand at the opposite end thereof by a second spring support locatedadjacent the connection of said piston rod with said sprung vehicleportion. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 33. The invention as set forth in claim 32wherein said coil spring is arranged coaxially of said suspension strut..Iaddend..Iadd.
 34. The invention as set forth in claim 32 wherein saidfirst and second guide means comprise said piston and cylinder, and saidpiston rod and a rod guide assembly located adjacent the upper end ofsaid cylinder. .Iaddend. .Iadd.
 35. The invention as set forth in claim32 wherein said removable end portion is threadably connected to saidtube and selectively removable therefrom to permit said removal andreplacement of said cartridge unit. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 36. In aMacPherson-type independent wheel suspension device for an automotivevehicle having sprung and unsprung portions,said suspension devicecomprising a hydraulic tubular shock absorber having a pair ofrelatively movable telescopic parts, detachable means on one of saidtelescopic parts connectable to a body portion of said vehicle andproviding for relative rotational movement therebetween, a tuberemovably supporting the other of said telescopic parts, said tubehaving a wheel spindle mounted thereon and a removable end member at oneend thereof which when mounted on said tube retains said shock absorbertherein, and when removed, permits removal of said shock absorberthrough said one end of said tube upon detaching said detachable means..Iaddend. .Iadd.
 37. The invention as set forth in claim 36 wherein saidremovable end member is threadably connected to said tube. .Iaddend..Iadd.
 38. The invention as set forth in claim 36 wherein said removableend member is located at the lower end of said tube. .Iaddend.